Fountain pen cap latching device



June 1939- M. A. ANDERSON FOUNTAIN PEN CAP LATCHING DEVICE Filed July 18, 1938 ATTO R N EYS Patented June 6, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICE FOUNTAIN PEN one LA'romNG DEVICE Matt. A. Anderson, Dallas, Wis.

Application July 1a, 1938, Serial No. 219,894

3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to fountain pens, and an important object thereof is to provide a latching device for the cap of a pen or the like, that holds the cap on the barrel of the pen against casual removal'or displacement without the use of the screw threaded connection now generally employed for that purpose.

A further object is to provide a latching device for the cap of a fountain pen or the like, that makes it possible to remove or apply the cap almost instantly, and in any event overcomes the tedious method of unthreading and threading the cap on the barrel with the result my latching device materially facilitates the use of the pen, as will be apparent.

Another object is to provide a latching device for the cap of a fountain pen or the like, that in no way interferes with the use of the pen, and the device can be readily attached to the pen, is

simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and extremely eilicient in use, operation and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination 5 and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference 30 will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a fountain pen constructed in accordance with the present inven- 5 tion with the cap thereof held in closed position by my latching device.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, with the cap removed.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 4-4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 with the cap disposed in spaced relation with respect to 45 the barrel.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 6-6 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary detail sectional view 50 illustrating a modified form.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and particularly to the form as shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, the reference numeral l indicates the barrel of a fountain pen and 2 the cap therefor.

55 The pen in its entirety is of the usual construction, with the exception that the screw threads generally employed for securing the cap to the barrel have been eliminated, and my latching means takes the place thereof and overcomes all of the disadvantageous features of the screw :hreads', as indicated in the objects of the invenion.

While 1 have illustrated my latching means as being used with a fountain pen, 'I want it understood that it can be used with any type of writing implement or the like, such as a combination pen and pencil or any implement of that character which includes a cap.

The pen is of the sack type and is provided with a pump lever 3, and the cap has secured thereto the usual spring clip 4, for securing the pen in the pocket of the user, as will be apparent.

My latching means includes a spring arm 5 which is somewhat similar to the spring clip 4, but it will be noted that the arm 5 is flat and has a relatively wide end 6. Formed on the wide end 6 and extending at right angles from the sides thereof are clamping ears I disposed through slots in the cap {and bent outwardly with respect to each other for disposal in contacting engagement with the inner surface of the wall of the barrel, as best shown in Figure 6. The latch arm 5 is tapered from the wide end portion, toward its free end, and the latter is bent outwardly at right angles with respect to the. remaining portion thereof to provide a catch 8. It will be noted that the latch or spring arm 5 is of a length to extend a considerable distance beyond the open or inner end of the cap, and while the tapered portion is spaced from the cap, the wide end portion is disposed in contacting engagement therewith and between projections 9 providing abutment shoulders therefor.

Secured to the barrel is a substantially U- shaped member "I that has its arms passed through slots in the barrel and bent outwardly against the inner surface of the barrel for fixing the member thereto. The U-s'haped member provides a keeper for the latch arm 5, and 'of course is arranged in the path thereof to receive the same, as best shown in Figure 4 and so that the catch 8 engages the underside of thekeeper, I

to hold the cap on the barrel against any possibility of casual removal or displacement.

In the modified form of Figure '7, it will be noted that the keeper which for distinction is indicated by the reference numeral I I is in the form of a pocket and isv integral with the barrel, with the open end uppermost for the passage of the spring arm 12 therein, and the spring arm if has a detent on the free end thereof in the form of a tooth l3 for engagement with ratchet teeth ll formed on the inner surface of the outer wall of the keeper II, as shown. It will be obvi- 0115 from the form of Figure 7 that the cap is applied to the barrel in the usual manner. and the tooth it will ride over the ratchet teeth ll until the cap is tightly associated with the barrel and then the tooth l3 will become engaged with one of the teeth ll.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

- What I claim is:

1. A latching device for the cap of a fountain pen or the'like, comprising a spring arin including a wide end portion, ears formed on the wide end portion and extending through the cap and bent against the inner surface thereof for securing the spring arm to the cap, the remaining portion of the arm being tapered and spaced from the cap, a catch on the free end of the arm and extending outwardly at right angles thereto, projections formed on the cap for disposal flush with the wide end of the arm and providing shoulders engageable with the side edges of the wide end, a keeper secured to the barrel in the path of the catch and disposed in the path of the catch for receiving the latter to detachably secure the cap on the barrel.

3. A latching device for the cap of a fountain pen or the like, comprising a spring arm secured at one end to the cap, a detent in the form of a tooth formed on the free end of the arm, a keeper secured to the barrel in the path of the detent. ratchet teeth included in the keeper for receiving the detent to detachably secure the cap on the barrel.

MATT. A. ANDERSON. 

